5 July 2005

Why do doctors wear white coats? Who was the first test-tube baby? How can jet lag be avoided? A new book reveals all…

The Royal Society of Medicine Press has published a wide-ranging book that delves into the vast array of fact (and fiction) in medical science.

The result is an interesting and often-amusing compilation of medical information. For those familiar with the very successful Schott's Miscellany, this is a medical version, and the first to be published.

An Essential Medical Miscellany by Ayan Panja covers everything from the Hepatitis Alphabet to why and when the first vibrator was invented.

The book contains short articles on a whole range of medical topics and provides a mixture of quirky entertainment: Julius Caesar, Leonardo Da Vinci and Charles Dickens have had or are thought to have had epilepsy, while Dr John Kellogg was a surgeon who created cornflakes with the intention to lessen sex drive and prevent the urge to masturbate.

It also includes useful medical references including the list of vitamins, the A to Z of medical specialties and the Glasgow Coma Scale. Even the General Medical Council’s ‘Duties of a Doctor’ is included.

“Medicine and health is an integral part of our lives and is a fascinating pre-occupation for many,”

said Dr Panja.

“The book contains everything from practical tips on how to avoid jet lag, the trigger factors for migraine, the ‘how and why’ questions on Botox and why we move in our sleep.

“For celebrity watchers, it lists stars with diabetes to those that have been saved by the Heimlich manoeuvre.

“Most importantly, the book contains information that may alter some pre-conceived perceptions about medicine,”

Dr Panja said.

An Essential Medical Miscellany highlights some interesting facts:

• A mother who breast feeds burns more calories and helps her uterus return to its normal size
• The medical effects of cannabis include lowering blood pressure and relieving nausea
• Moderate drinkers of any kind of alcohol are 30 percent more likely than teetotallers to survive a heart attack
• Eating a Mediterranean diet is better for your heart than taking aspirin
• Green tea contains catechin, a chemical that reduces the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease.

Ayan Panja qualified as a doctor from Imperial College School of Medicine, London. He is a partner in a medical practice in North London.

An Essential Medical Miscellany

Author: Ayan Panja, Publication date: 30 June 2005, ISBN: 1-85315-631-0, £12.95.

To purchase a copy, please call RSM Press’ distributor, Marston Book Services on 01235 465500 or e-mail: direct.sales@marston.co.uk

 

Note to editors:

About The Royal Society of Medicine

Founded in 1805, the Royal Society of Medicine is a charitable membership organisation dedicated to the promotion of multidisciplinary education and Continuing Professional Development in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and allied health-care occupations. Through its diverse academic programme, the Society encourages an exchange of information and ideas both within the health professions and with responsible and informed public opinion.